Electric signaling apparatus for elevators.



No..634,220. Patented Oct. 3, nsse .1. B. SMALLEY & c. A. REINERS.

ELECTRIC SIGNALING APPARATUS FOR ELEVATORS.

( Mode") (Application filed Sept. 22, 1898.) 5 s e l.

Ynz' NORRIS PETERS 00,, Pnmouma. wnsumsron, a. c.

N0. 634,220. Patented Oct. 3, I899.

J. B. SMALLEY &. C. A. REINERS.

ELECTRIC SIGNALING APPARATUS FOR ELEVATORS.

(Application filed Sept. 22, 1898.) (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 m: NORRIS PETERS 00., worauma, WASHINGYON. u. c,

No. 634,220. Patented Oct. 3, I899. J. B. SMALLEY- & C. A. REINERS.

ELECTRIC SIGNALING APPARATUS FOR ELEVATORS.

(Application filed Sept. 22, 1898.) (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 m: Norms PETERS 00.. Pno'muma, WASHINGTON, n. c.

N0. 634,220. Patented Oct. 3, I899. J. B. SMALLEY 8|. C. A. REINERS.

ELECTRIC SIGNALING APPARATUS FOR ELEVATORS.

( 0 Mode'.) (Application filed Sept. 22, 189B.) 5 shee s s ee 4' ma Norms PETERS ca, PHDTO-LITNO.. WILSHlNGTO-N, u, c.

No. 634,220. Patented Oct. 3, I899. J. B. SMALL'EY & C. A. REINERS. ELECTRIC SIGNALING APPARATUS FOR ELEVATORS.

A blimion filed Sept. 22, 1598.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5..

('No Model.)

llllll mes s a THE Norms pz-rzns co. flNuTo-Llmm WASHINGTON. a. 0.:

' UNITED STATES PATENT Genres.

JAMES 13. SMALLEY AND CHARLES A. REINERS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO THE ELEVATOR SUPPLY AND REPAIR COMPANY, OF

SAME PLACE.

ELECTRIC SIGNALING APPARATUS FOR ELEVATORS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 634,220, dated October 3, 1899;.

Application filed September 22, 1898. Serial No. 691,652. (No inodell To aZZ whom it Tito/y concern:

Be it known that we, JAMES B. SMALLEY and CHARLES A. REINERs, residents of Ohicago, Cook county, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Signaling Apparatus for Elevators, of which we do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description.

The present invention has relation more particularly to that class of elevator-signaling apparatusin which an electric signal-lamp is carried by each of the elevator-cars and in which signal-lanterns are arranged upon various floors of the building through which the elevators travel, push-button mechanism being provided adjacent the doorways of the elevator-shaft in order to enable the intending passenger to cause the signal-lamps within the car to burn and to cause the lamps within the signal-lanterns to burn as the car approaches the floor at which the push-but ton mechanism has been operated. An example of this general type of electric signaling apparatus is set forth in Letters Patent No. 499,411, granted to Armstrong and Adler June 13, 1893.

The present invention consists in features of improvement hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the claims at the end of this specification.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing our invention as applied to two adjoining passenger-elevators; Fig. 2 is a detail plan View of the master-commutator. Fig. 3 is an inverted plan view of the master-commutator. Fig. i is a view in vertical cross-section through the commutator, the section being taken at one side of the brush-supporting arm. Fig. 5 is a plan view ofone of the supplemental commutators. Fig. 6 is a view in vertical cross-section through the supplemental commutator shown in Fig. 5, the section being taken through the brush-supporting arm. Fig. 7 is a detail view, in longitudinal section, through the brush-supporting arm beneath the commutator. Fig. 8 is a detail view, partly in elevation and partly in sec tion, showing the means for driving the commutator-shaft and the overhead shaft of the elevator. A

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, A and A denote, respectively, two elevator-cars that will be arranged within suitable shafts, so

that they will pass in usual manner through the several floors of the building, the floors being designated in conventional manner in Fig. 1. lVithin each of the cars A and A is placed a signal'lamp l3, and within each of the cars is also, placed a trai'isferring-button (J, the purpose of which is to enable the operator within a car to transfer the signal to the next car in case his car is so actuated as to prevent its taking on a passenger who has signaled the elevator, as will herein more fully appear. At each floor of the building is provided a pushbutton box D, by which the passenger is enabled to close a normally open electric circuit and by so doing to set the mechanism whereby as the car approaches his floor the signal-lamp within the car will be caused.

to bu r11 and whereby the corresponding signal lantern upon such floor will also be caused to burn. Upon the top iioor the push-button box D contains but a single push-button or circuitcloser, and the same is true also of the pushbutton box D upon the bot-tom floor; but the push-button box on the intermediate floors are provided each with two push-buttons, one serving to give the up signal and the other serving to give the down signal. So, also, upon the top floor of each elevatorshaft is placed a single signal-lantern E, and in like manner at the bottom floor is placed a single signal-lantern F, while two signallanterns E and F are provided adjacent the doorway of each elevator-shaft upon each elevator-floor between the top and bottom of the building. The apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings is shown as applied to two adjacent elevators; but it will be manifest that without material change the system may be extended to any number of elevators. Where two elevators are employed in proximity to each other, a single set of push-button boxes will suffice for both.

When the passenger upon any iloor desires to signal an elevator-car, he will push one or the other of the buttons in the corresponding push-button box, the upperbutton being depressed if he desires to go upward or the lower button if he desires to descend. By thus pushing one or the other of the buttons the intending passenger brings into operation the commutator mechanism next to be de scribed and which for convenience is usually located at the top of the elevator-shafts, although it might be located in any other convenient position.

The sustaining-frame of the commutator mechanism is shown as comprising side bars Gand G, that are united by the bottom plate G and by the crossbars g, g, 1 g, g, and g. Upon the side bars G and G and within suitable bearings ft is journaled the commutator-shaft II, the part of this shaft between the side bars of the sustaining-frame being formed as a screw. The shaft II will be driven from the overhead shaft of one of the elevators and preferably a friction mechanism will be interposed at a point between said overhead shaft and the shaft II, fora purpose to be presently stated. One suitable form of mechanism whereby motion Will be transmitted to the shaft If is illustrated in Letters Patent No. 511,987, granted to Fred Andrews January 22, 189i, or preferably the outer portion of the elevator-shaft II will have loosely mounted thereon a sprocket-wheel II, at opposite sides of which are placed frictiondisks 7i and 7L2, the friction-disk 7t being interposed between an annular shoulder of the shaft H and the sprocketwheel, while the friction-disk 7L2 is interposed between the sprocket-wheel and a collar 7L3. As shown, the collar ha is formed with grooves to receive pins projecting from the shaft, and against the collar h bears a coil-spring H the tension of which is controlled by suitable set-nuts it upon the threaded outer end of the shaft. It will thus be seen that the sprocket-wheel H is held upon the shaft by frictional engagement with the collar and the shoulder at opposite sides thereof, so that when the parts carried by the screw-threaded body of the shaft reach the end of their travel any further revolution of the shaft will not endanger the breakage of the parts, and any tendency of the elevator-cable to creep will notinfluence the movements ofthe parts carried by the threaded body of the shaft Ii.

Upon the threaded portion of the shaft If. is mounted an interiorly-threaded carrier-nut ll, thatis provided at its opposite ends with the shoulders 7r, and upon the shaft II, adjacent the ends of its body-thread, are fixed the nuts II" and II. As shown, the nut ll" serves to sustain a cross-arm I, and for this purpose the carrier-nutis shown as provided with a raised standard h, (see Figs. it and (3,) to which the erossarm I is attached byscrews 7L7. A suitable insulating-plate is interposed between the top of the standard h and the cross-arm I, and suitable insulating-sleeves 71 encircle the screws 7/? where they pass through the cross-arm. I. The standard It" is shown as hollow, and within the standard is set a friction-block h, that will fit between the screw-threads of the shaft II and bear frictionally upon the shaft. In order to give the proper frictional bearing upon block it", a coil-spring 7& is set within the standard it, and upon this coil-spring bears a plate that is carried by the lower end of an adjusting screw h that passes through a correspondingly-threaded hole in the cross-arm I, the position of the screw with respect to the crossarm being determined by a set-nut it.

One end of the cross-arm I serves to carry the contact points or brushes K, K, and K while the other end of the cross-arm I carries the contact-brushes K, K", and K The brushes K and K are shown as consisting of screws passing through flanged sleeves, of insulating material, held within corresponding openings at the ends of the cross-arm I, the position of the screws K and K being determined by suitable set-nuts. The contact points or brushes K, K K", and K are shown at the ends of rods 7r, 7%, 71;, and 71;, that pass, respectively, through the hollow stems 7t, L2 711 and 71;. The stems 7;, &c., have coiled springs it therein that serve to force downwardly the contact-points beneath them, and the stems 71: and 7; have their upper ends screw-threaded to receive nuts 7e thatlimit the downward movement of the stems. The sleeves Z2 dye, are insulated from the crossarm I by means of flanged sleeves 01' collars, of insulating material, as clearly shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. From the carriernut I1 extends an arm H, preferably cast integral with the nut, and at opposite sides of the arm ll extend the supplemental crossarms ll. and II. (See Fig. 3.) The supplemental cross-arins ll and I] are fastened to a short shaft 11, that passes loosely through an opening formed in the lower part of the depending arm II. The supplemental crossarm II has holes formed in its opposite ends, within which are set sleeves, ofinsulating material, by which are carried the contact points or brushes 2" and i. (See Fig. 7.) The con tact point or brush 21 is shown as consisting of a single screw held in place by threaded nuts, while the contact-brush '11 is shown as mounted within a hollowstem i that carries a coil-spring f", forcing the brush normally upward. The lower end of the stem t is provided with a set-screw '1 to which will be attached an electric wire, as will hereinafter appear. In like manner also the ends of the supplemental cross-arm ll are provided with openings, in which are set sleeves, of insulating material, by which are carried the contact points or brushes that correspond in construction and arrangement with the contact points or brushes '2? vi, as last described.

Upon the cross-bars q and g is mounted a plate M, (the plate being shown as of double thickness, of insulatingmaterial, and upon the cross-bars and g a similar plate Ill of insulating material is fixed. On the plate M is mounted a bar of insulating material on, provided at intervals along its length with metal contact-plates 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Adjacent the rail m is a similar rail m, provided at intervals with metallic contact-plates 7 8 9 1011, and adjacent the rail m is acontactbar m In like manner upon the opposite side of the screw-shaft H is a co11tact-barm ,eorresponding to the bar m a rail m, provided with contact-plates 12, 13, 14c, 15, and 16, and a rail m provided with contact-plates 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21. The rails m and m and the contact-bars m extend, respectively, beneath the path of travel of the brushes K K and K while the contact-bar m and the rails m and m extend, respectively, beneath the travel of the brushes K K, and K. The carrier-nut H is so mounted on the screw shaft II that as the shaft is revolved in one direction the brushes at one end of the crossarm I will bear against the contact-bar and rails beneath them, and preferably one of the contact-brushes at the opposite side of the screw-shaft will bear upon its subjacent contact-bar; but when the direction of travel of the screw-shaft H is reversed the cont-actbrushes at the opposite end of the cross-arm I will be moved into operative position, while the brushes that were before in operation (except the brush that rides upon the contact-bar) will be raised to an inoperative position. The purpose is to have the two outer contact-brushes at one end of the cross-arm I in action as the carrier-nut H moves in one direction, the corresponding contact-brushes at the opposite end of the shaft being at such time out of action, and when the direction of travel of the carrier-nut H is reversed the two outer brushes that were before in action will be thrown out of action, while the opposite brushes will be brought to operative po sition. The movement of the carrier-nut H in one direction corresponds with the upward movement of the elevator-ear, while the movement of the carrier-nut H in the opposite direction corresponds with the downward movement of the elevator-ear, it being understood that the friction -gear mechanism whereby the shaft H is driven from the overhead shaft of the elevator is a reducing-gear, so that but a very short travel of the carrier-nut H will occur even where elevators are moving through floors of tall buildings. \Vhen the carrier-nut H reaches the end of its travel in one direction, its shoulders 7L5 will contact with corresponding shoulders on the fixed nut or sleeve I'll-' and when the carrier-nut H is moving in opposite direction the shoulders in at its opposite end will in like manner contact with corresponding shoulders formed upon the end of the fixed nut I1 so that the nuts II and H serve to arrest the movement of the carrier nut H in both directions. Hence it will be seen that if there is any tendency of the elevator (by reason of the creeping of its cable or other cause) to move the carrier-nut H farther than the fixed nuts H" and H the sprocket-wheel II will turn upon the shaft II, the frictional engagement of the sprocket-wheel 011 the shaft being merely adequate to drive the shaft II. The nuts II and II are adjustable upon the threaded portion of the shaft H, so that the carrier-nut H can be arrested at any desired point adjacent the end of the movement of the elevator-car.

In order to insure the tilting of the crossarm I and of the carrier-nut H whereby this arm is carried, for the purpose of alternately bringing the brushes at the respective ends of the cross-arm I into and out of operative position and as well also to relieve the arm and the contact-brushes from all strain when the movement of the carrier-nut H is arrested, it is preferred to employ the means next to be described, viz: Through each of the side bars G and G of the eommutator-frame extend inwardly screw-bolts N and N, the unthreaded inner ends of which pass through the bosses o of the bracket 0. From the bosses 0 of the bracket 0 extend upwardly the arms 0 and 0 the arm 0 being formed at its top with a bearing-head 0 while the arm 0 is formed at its top with a bearinghead 0*. The bearing-head 0 has the under side of its inner end beveled, (see Figs. 2 and 4,) while the bearing-head 0 has the upper face of its inner end beveled. From one side of the carrier-nut H project the flanges o and 0, and from the opposite side of the carrier-nut projeetsimilar flanges o and 0 The bearing-heads o and o are arranged in different horizontal planes, (the purpose of which will hereinafter appear,) and these bearing-heads serve to engage the laterallyprojecting flanges 0 0 0 and 0 in order to insure the shifting of the carrier-nut H and of the cross-arm I and as well also to relieve the cross-arm from strain in event of any tendency of the shaft H to revolve after the carrier-nut has been arrested by either of the fixed nuts H' or II at the end of its travel. Thus, for example, it the carrier-nut IF be assumed as moving in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 2, then as the carrier-nut reaches the end of its travel the flange 0 at the side of the carrier-nut will ride up the inclined end and onto the top of the bearing-head 0, while at the same time the flange 0 at the opposite side of the carrier-nut II will contact with the lower inclined surface at the end of the bearing-head 0 Hence as the carriernut completes its travel in the direction of the arrow, 2, the carrier-nut II and the cross-arm I will be oscillated, so as to cause the cross-arm to tilt to a position opposite to that shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings and in so doing to throw the contact points or brushes K and K into operative position and the contactpoints K and K out of operative position. It will also be seen that if after the carrier-nut H has thus reached the end of its travel there is any tendency for the shaft II to f urthcr revolve the flanges 0 and 0 bear ing, respectively, against the heads 0 and 0", will take the strain incident to such further revolution of the shaft ll and cause the slipping of the sprocket-wheel I'l upon the outer end of the shaft ll, thus preventing this strain from being thrown upon the contact-brushes at the ends of the cross-arm I. Upon the bottom plate G of the commntator-frame is also mounted a guard-bar G, that extends (see dotted lines, Fig. 5) throughout a portion of the path of travel of the carrier-nut I1 and this bar G rises somewhat higher than the lower end of the depending arm ll. Hence it will be seen that as the carrier-nut H and the arm H move in one direction the lower end of the arm H" will travel along one side of the guard-bar G, while as the carriernut 11 and the arm H move in the opposite direction the lower end of the arm will move along the opposite side of the guard-bar G. If, therefore, there is any reversal of the direction of travel of the elevator-car at points between the extremes of its movementas, for example, when a floor has been accidentally passed and is returned to by the carthe guard-arm will serve to prevent any reverse oscillation of the carrier-nut and the cross-arm l, sustained thereby, and hence the guard-bar G will insure the proper travel of the contact-brushes at each end of the crossarm I throughout the entire movement of the cross arm as the elevator-car is moving in upward or downward direction. As the elevator-car, however, completes its movement in upward or downward direction the depending arm ll passes beyond the ends of the guard-arm G, and hence the oscillation of the carrier-nut ll and the cross-arm I can be effected, as hereinbefore described.

By reference to Figs. 4 and (3 of the drawings it will be seen that as the depending arm 11 of the carrier-nut is oscillated at the end of its travel in either direction a lateral shift will be given to the cross-arms H and H and to the contact points or brushes carried by these arms. The contact-points t" and 7" are adapted to travel along contact-plates 25 26 27 28 29 30 and contact-plates 31 32 33 34c 35 30, that are mounted upon a plate 37, of in sulating material, carried at the lower ends of the posts 38, and the contact points or brushes t" and j are adapted to ride against the contact-plates -l0 ll 42 43 it 4-5 and 46, 47, 4,8, 49, 50, and 51, that are fixed to the under side of the plate. 52, of insulating material, this plate 52 being attached to the depending posts The contact-plates that are engaged by the various brushes or contactpoints carried by the cross-arm I and by the supplemental cross-arms II and H are arranged in come spondence with the floors of the building through which the elevator-car passes, the contact-plates at one side of the screwshaft ll being designed for operation as the car is moving in upward direction, while the contact-plates at the opposite side of the shaft are designed to operate when the car is moving in downward direction. Inasmuch as there will be no up signal transmitted from the top iloor of the building and no down signal transmitted from the bottom floor, it is manifest that the number of contact-plates opposite the path of travel of each contact brush or point will be one less than the total number of floors in the building.

Upon the frame of the mastercommutator, as itis conveniently termed, (this being the commutator shown in Figs. 2, 3, and at of the drawings,) itis deemed preferable to place the mechanism next to be described, although it will be readily understood that such mechanism could be placed at any convenient point more or less remote from the commutator. As shown, cross-bars G and G' extend be tween the side bars G and G of the commutator-frame at each side of the mechanism hereinbefore described. Upon each of the cross-bars is mounted a series of electromagnets R R R R" R", suitable insulatingstrips being interposed between the bars g and the magnets. Adjacent each of the magnets R R, the, rises a standard 7', in the upper bifurcated end of which is pivotally sustained the armature '2" of a correspoiuling magnet. Each armature r is shown as provided with a set-screw r adapted to contact with the stop r projecting from the bracket 1'. Through the end of each armature 9' passes a contact-rod .9, preferably having a reverted threaded end, with which engage set-nuts s and 5 by which the position of the contact-rod s can be accurately determined. Opposite the magnets It R, &c., are placed the mercury-pots S, S, F S and S, that rest upon the insulating-plate M, that extends across the top of the com mutatonframe. The magnets R R, &c., are the restoring-11mgnets, and their function and mode of opera tion will presently appear.

Adjacent the magnets R R, 850., and preferably arranged as shown, are the releasingmagnets T, T, T T and T these magnets being suitably attached to the cross-bar G of the comm utator-frame. A bracket extends adjacent each of the magnets T T, &c., and to the end of the bracket is pivoted the armature t of the corresponding magnet. Each armature is shown as provided with an angular end having a threaded opening to admit a set-screw that will engage with the bracket if and will thus determine the extent of movement of the armature 15. The crossbar G has vertical slots formed in its ends, and through these slots pass the clampingbolts g", that pass through holes formed in the upturned end of the side bars G and G of the main frame. (See Fig. 2.) By this means the plate G can be raised or lowered in order to adjust the series of magnets G G, &c., and their armatures with respect to the armatures of the magnets R R, the. Upon the cross-bar G is carried a plate G of insulating material, whereon are mounted. a series of binding-posts U.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 4tof the drawings, it will be seen that the armature t of each of the magnets T is arranged in such position that it will engage with the end of the armature r of the corresponding magnet R, and when in such position it will hold the armature r elevated, as shown in Fig. 4, and will thus hold the contact-rod .9 out of the mercury within the corresponding pot S. When, however, current is caused to pass through one of the magnets T, thereby energizing the same, the armature will be attracted and will pass from engagement with the end of the armature 7*, thereby releasing the armature r and permitting the contactrod 3 to dip into the mercury-pot and establish current through such pot, as will presently appear.

lVhen an intending passenger operates the push-button mechanism upon either floor of the building, the first result is to close the normally open circuitin which the push-button mechanism and the corresponding releasing-magnet are placed. Inasmuch as this circuit requires but slight current, it is pre ferred to supply such current from a rotary transformer or battery, a rotary transformer V being shown in the drawings for this purpose. Referring to the diagrammatic view, Fig. 1, it will be seen that from the transformer V a wire 2; extends to a switch I, that is located within the elevator-shaft. The purpose of this switch and of the signalbell W, that is connected to the switch by the wire 10, will hereinafter more fully appear. From the contact-post a: of the switch a feed-wire m leads adjacent the several push-button boxes D, branches from this feed-wire 03 leading to each of the push-buttons within the boxes. From the push-but ton box D on the bottom floor a wire leads to a resistance coil or magnet X, and from this coil a feed-wire :0 leads to the rotary transformer V. From the feed-wire branch wires lead to the several releasing-magnets T T, &c., these magnets being arranged in multiple, as shown. It will be observed that the push-button of the top floor is also connected by a branch wire d with the wire 11: and a branch wire leads from the opposite side of this push-button to the feed-wire 00.

Inasmuch as the present signaling system is more especially adapted for rapid-service elevators, such as those used in office buildings, it is not deemed necessary to light the signal-lamp in the car either at the top or bottom floors, because when the elevator-car reaches these points it must stop and the car is supposed to run continuously throughout the day. The push-buttons at the top and bottom floors do not, therefore, when operated cause passage of current through any of the releasing-magnets, but simply close the circuit in which the rotary transformer t is interposed. Thus, for example, if the push-button on the bottom floor be operated current will pass as follows, viz: from transformer V, by wire '0, through switch W (norm ally closed) to push-button on the first floor, thence by wire a? to resistance-magnet X,and thence by feed-wire 1: back to the trans-- former V.

At night and on Sundays or holidays it is the custom in large office buildings to put most of the elevators out of service and to permit those that remain in service to rest at either the top or bot-tom floors. At such time it becomes desirable that an intending passenger on the top or bottom floor should be able to signal or notify the elevator-operator. It is for this reason that the switch and bell \V and W are employed, and at nights, holidays, or the like the switch W will be opened, as seen in Fig. 1, so as to throw the bell W into circuit. When the switch \V is thus opened and the push-button at the top and bottom floors (or indeed at any fioor) is depressed, current will pass from the transformer through the signal-bell V, and the operator hearing this bell will know that there is a passenger awaiting service.

The purpose of the resistance-coil of the magnet X, the resistance of which equals that of the several magnets T T, &c., is to prevent the whole body of current passing directly by the shortest circuit in which the rotary transformer of the push-buttons of the top and bottom floors are interposed in event it should happen that a push-button upon any of the intermediate floors should be operated at the same time with the operation of the push-buttons at the top or bottom floors, since, manifestly, if the whole body of current were permitted to pass by the shortest circuit through the push-button at the top or bottom floor back to the rotary transformer V there will be no current to actuate the releasing-magnets T T, &c., if it so happened that a simultaneous operation of the top or bottom floor push-buttons and any interme diate push-button occurred. The function of the resistance coil or magnet X will, however, more fully appear from the following description: Each up push-button (except that on the bot-tom floor) is connected by a wire with a corresponding releasing-magnet on the left-hand side of the screw-shaft H. Thus by reference to Fig. 1 it will be seen 'that the up button on the sixth floor is connected by a wire 6 with the releasing-magnet T at the left-hand side of the commutator, the up push-button on the fifth tloor is connected by a wire 6 with the releasingmagnet'l",the up push-button on the fourth floor is connected by a wire a with the releas-- ing-magnet T the up push-button on the third floor is conn'ected by a wire 6 with the releasing-magnet T, and the up push-bu tton on the second floor is connected by a wire 0 with the releasing-magnet T. A wire 15 connects the several magnets T T, the, with the wire 00 that leads to the rotary transformer V. Hence it will be seen that if the uppush-button upon the sixth floor,

for example, be operated to close the circuit at such point current will pass from the transformer V, by wire 1;, through switch XV and wire a" to such push-button box, and thence by wire 6 to releasing-magnet T, and thence by wire '0' and by wire to the transformer. This 'iassage of current through releasing-magnet T will energize the magnet, causing its armature t to be attracted and to release the armature r of a corresponding restoring-magnet R, and this release of the armature 0' will permit the contact-rod s to dip into the corresponding mercury-pot S, in order to establish passage of current at such point. In like manner also it will be apparent that when any push-button on a floor between the top and bottom is depressed current will be caused to pass through the corresponding releasing-magnet T T, (be, and the armature of the corresponding restoring-magnet R R, &c., will be released.

By reference to Figs. 1 and t of the drawings it will be seen that the signatlamp 13 upon the car A is connected by a branch wire I) with a feed-wire], that leads to a dynamo Y, that will be located at the power-house or other remote point, and from such lamp 13 another wire I) will lead to the cont actsplate m over which plate travels the contact brush or point K (See Figs. at and ti.) The holding-sleeve oi the contact-brush 7i? is connected by wires 92 and a to the contact brush or point R, that travels over the contact-plates 1, 2, 23, 1, 5, and 6, and each of the contactplates 1 2 3, &c., is connected by a short wire to its corresponding mercury-pot S S, (be. Hence itwill be seen that when the up push-button on the sixth floor, for example, has been operated, causing the magnet T to be energized and causing the armature r of the restoring-magnet R to be released, thus permitting the rod 5' to drop into the mercurypot S, current will pass from the dynamo Y as follows, viz: by wire f and branch wire I) to electric lamp B in car A, thence by wire I) to contact bar or plate m against which the contact-brush K travels at all times. Now bearing in mind the fact that the contactbrush K as well as the other contact-brushes that are moved by the carrier-nut H travel in unison with the movement of the elevatorcar and the further fact that the contactbrushes K K and K are operative during the upward movement of the car it will be seen that as the elevator-car moves upward from the bottom floor of the building the contact-brush K will pass onto the contactplate 2 about the time that the elevatorcar in its upward movement passes the fifth floor and at such time current that has, as above described, passed from the dynamo Y to the contact plate or bar at will pass from plate in to contact-brush K and its sleeve to wire a, to wire a, to contactbrush K to contact-plate 1, thence by a short wire to mercury-pot S, thence by contactrod .9 to armature r of magnet R thence by bracket. rand contact-plate It to wire f and thence by wire f back to the dynamo Y. The passage of current in manner just described will cause the lamp 1 within the car A to burn. The contact-plate 2 is so arranged that the contact-brush K will pass thereon about the time that the elevator-ear in its upward travel moves from the fifth floor of the building, so that the signal-lamp within the car will give ample notice to the operator when a party is awaiting for upward service upon the sixth floor. In like manner also it will be seen that if the up push-button on the second floor, for example, is operated the magnet T will be energized, thereby permitting the contact-rod s to drop into the mercury-pot- S and close the signal-lamp circuit at such point. A car at rest at the lirst floor will have its signal-lamp at once lighted, for the reason that when the car is at the first floor the carrier-nut ll has been turned so as to oscillate the cross-arm I in order to bring the contact-brushes K and K" into operative position, and the contact-brush K will at once bear upon the contact-plate (J. Ilence it will be seen that current will pass from the dynamo Y through the lamp 1] of the car A, and thence by wire Z) to the contact-plate 7M2. From this plate current will pass to contactbrnsh K, thence by wire it to wire it, to contact-brush K which at such time will be resting upon contact-plate t. From contact-plate 6 currentwill pass byashort wire to mercury- )Oli S. and thence bv contact-rod s armature r of magnet R, to bracket 1' and contactplate R, to wire W, to dynamo Y. The light I within the car will thus be caused to burn. As soon, however, as the contact-brush K passes from oil the contact-plate (5 the circuit will be broken at such point and the light within the car will be extinguished.

The magnets at the right-hand side of the commutator and which come into use for the purpose of signaling down service are arranged in circuits, as follows, viz: From the down push-button of the sixth iloor a wire (6 leads to the releasing-magnet T at the righthand side of the shaft H, and this magnet T is connected bya wire (1 with the wire a, that leads to the rotary transformer V. Hence it will be seen that if a party on the sixth floor desires down service and depresses the down push-button current will pass from the rotary transformer V, by wire 1-, through switch XV, (at such time closed,) to wire az, to the down push-button on the sixth lioor, thence by wire a to the magnet T, thence by wire (1 and wire back to transformer V. The magnet T will thus be energized and will cause the armature r of the magnet R to be released, thus permitting the contact-rod s to drop into the mercury-pot S and close the circuit at such point. The down pushbuttons on the fifth, fourth, third, and second floors are connected by wires a, a a, and a, respectively, with the releasing-magnets T, T T", and T at the right-hand end of the com-- mutator, and it will thus be seen that by the operation of either of the down push-buttons the corresponding releasing-magnet will be energized in order to close the circuit at the mercury-pot adjacent such magnet.

In order to cause the signal-lantern E or i to burn as the car moving in the desired direction approaches the floor at which the sig nal is given, electric lamps within these lanterns are arranged in circuits next to be described.

\Vith the feed-wirefthat leads from the d yname Y connects a branch feed-wire/" and by wires .2", .2

this branch feed-wire f is tapped by a series of inlet-wires f, that lead to the corresponding lanterns upon the several floors oi the building.

The down lantern E on the top floor is connected by wire with contact-plate 30 on the left-hand side of the commutator screwshaft, (see Figs. 1 and 3,) it being understood that Fig. 3 is an inverted plan view, thus causing the contact-plates to be shown upon the opposite side of the screw-shaft. The plate 36 is arranged in the path of travel of the contact-ln'ushes t and j on the supplemental cress-arms H and 11 during the final part of the up movement of these arms. The down lanterns on the several floors below the top floor are connected, respectively,

plates 30, 29, 28, 27, and 26. (See Fig. 1.) The lighting of the down lantern on the top floor will occur automatically as the elevator-car approaches such floor, at which time the contact-brush t" will bear against the contact-plate 36 and the contact-brush "i will bear against the plate 45. Current will then pass from the dynamo Y, by wire f and branch wires f and f", through the lantern e, thence by wire 2' to the contact-plate 36. thence to contact-brush 1L, thence by wire 2' to contactbrush t', to contact-plate 45, and from centact-plate 45 by a branch wire to wiref that leads to the dynamo Y. It will thus be seen that while the elevator-car is at rest at the top floor the down lantern at the top floor will continue to burn. When the down button on the sixth floor is depressed and passage of current is established through the local circuit of such push-button, the mercury-pot S will be brought into action, the lamp 15 within the car will be caused to burn, and currentwill pass through the down lantern of the sixth floor in the following manner, viz: from the dynamo Y by wires f and and branch wire to the down lantern E of the sixth floor, thence by wire .2" to contact-plate 30, and as the contact-point t" will be shifted at the end of the up travel of the car from the contact-plate 36 to the centact-plate 30 current will pass from contactplate 30 to contact-point t, thence by crosswire to contact brush or point 2', thence to contact-plate 51, thence through mercury-pot S and its contact-rod to plate R, thence to wire 1", and back to the dynamo Y. About 2 and .2 with the contact-.

the time that the elevator-car passes the sixth floor in its downward movement the contactpeint t" will pass oil. the contact-plate 30, and the circuit at such point will be broken and the light within the lantern will be extinguished. In the same mannerit will bereadily seen that the down lantern on each tleor will be caused to burn when the pushbutton upon such floor is operated.

The up lantern F on the bottom floor is connected by a wire .2 with the contact-plate 46 at the right-hand side of the commutatorshatt, as seen in Fig. 1, (shown at the lefthand side in inverted plan view Fig. 3,) and the up lantern F on the second floor is connected by a wire with contact-plate -10. In like manner the up? lanterns between the second and top floors are connect-ed, respectively, with the contact-plates 41, 42, .1.3, and all. From the foregoing description it will be seen that the lighting of the up lantern on the bottom floor is effected automatically as the car approaches such I'loor, since at such time the corresponding travel of the contact-brushes will cause the contactbrush j to bear against the contact-plate 1L6, while the contact-brush willbear against the contact-plate 25. Current will then pass from the dynamo by wire and branch wires and f to the up lantern F on the bottom iloor, thence by wire .2 to contact-plate 40, thence to contaet-brushj, thence by cross-wire i to contact-brush j to contact-plate 25, thence by wire 25 to plate R, to wire f to wire f and back to dynamo Y. The up lantern upon the first floor will thus be caused to automatically burn as the car approaches the first floor and while it rests at such point. When the up push-button on the second floor is operated, current will be caused to pass through up lantern on such floor, as fellows, viz.: from dynamo Y by wire to up lantern E on the second floor, thence by wire .2 to contact-plate t0, thence to contact point orbrush .2, (which at the end of the down movement of the elevator-car has been shifted upon plate to to plate 40,) thence from said contact point or brush by wire j to contact point or brush j, thence to contact-plate 3L by wire leading from said contactplate 31 to the mercury-pet S, thence through the contact-rod of said mercury-pot to the contactplate R to wiref to wire and back to dynamo Y. The light will continue within the up lantern of the second floor until during the upward movement of the elevator-car and corresponding operation of the commutator mechanism the contact brush or point passes from off the contact-plate 40.

Having thus shown how the signallamp within the elevator-car and the signal-lanterns upon the several doors of the building will be caused to burn by the operation of the push-buttons on such floors, it remains to be shown how the parts of the commutator will be restored to normal position after the desired signal has been given. .ly reference IOU to Fig. et. of the drawings it will be readily understood that the breaking of the circuits at the mercury-pots will be effected by the energization of the restoring-magnets R R, &c., and this is accomplished as follows, viz: Let it be assumed, for example, that the car is at the second floor and that a corresponding position of the contact points or brushes of the commutator mechanism exists, and let it be assumed also that an intending passenger upon the second floor has operated the up push-button, thereby causing the signal-lamp within the car and the up lantern upon the floor to burn. lVhen the passenger has entered the car and it begins its upward movement, the contact point or brush K at the left-hand side of the commutatorshaft II will pass onto the contact-plate 11, and at such time (see Fig. 4) the contactpoint K will be in engagement with the contaet-platem (See Fig. 2.) Current willthen pass from restoring-magnet R at the lefthand side of the comm utator-shaft by wire 80 to contact-plate 11, thence by contact point or brush K, thence to wire 70 and by a branch from this wire to a bindingpost on the sleeve 7t at the opposite side of the commutator-shaft, thence to contact point or brush K to contact-plate m (see Fig. 1,) and thence by wire 81 to the normally-closed transfer-button 0 within the elevator-car, thence by wire 82 to the rotary transformer V, thence by wire .2 and branch wire 83 to the restoring-magnet R Current being thus caused to pass through the restoring-magnet R at the left-hand side of the commutatorshaft, this magnet will be energized and will attract its armature 0", and will thus lift the contact-rod s from the corresponding mercury-pot S, and will open the electric-lighting circuit at such point. Hence it will be seen that the circuits of the electric lamp within the car and of the signal-lantern on the second floor will be restored to normal condition. If it be assumed that an intending passenger has operated the down button on the sixth floor, for example, and has caused the signal-lamp within the car and the signal-lantern to be lighted, the extinguishing of these signals will be accomplished in the following manner, it being assumed that a car having started downward from the top floor has reached the sixth floor and taken on the passenger: After the car passes from the sixth floor the contact brush or point K at the right-hand side of the commutatorshaft will bear against the contact-plate 12,and current will then be caused to pass through the restoring-magnet R at the right-hand side of the commutator-shaft in the following manner: From the magnet R current will pass by wire 84 to contact-plate 12, (see Fig. 1,) then to contactbrush K, (which on the down movement of the car is in operation,) thence by wire 7& to the binding-post of the sleeve 75'", thence to contact point or brush K thence to contact-bar m thence by wire 81 to the transfer-button (1 within the car, thence by wire 82 to rotary transformer V, thence by wirea' and branch wire to restoringnnagnet R. The magnet being thus energized, the contact-rod will be lifted from the corresponding mercury-pot S, and the circuits of the lamp and signal lantern within the car will be restored to normal condition.

As it often happens that a car is crowded and cannot, therefore, admit an additional passenger who may have given a signal, it is desirable that the signal should be caused to appear in the next car approaching in the desired direction. It has just been seen that in order to extinguish the signal lamps and lanterns the current that energizes the restoring-magnets R R, &c., must pass through the transfer push-button O, which is normally closed. It will be readily understood, therefore, that if, as while the car is passing the floor at which the signal is given, the operator should depress the transferbutton 0 and break the circuit at such point then no current could pass through the corresponding restoringmagnehas the contact-brush passed onto the contact-plate corresponding to such floor. Hence the circuits will be left in condition to operate the signal lamp and lantern of the next car approaching the floor in the desired direction in order that it may stop to take on the passenger.

In the accompanying drawings two elevator-cars are shown in juxtaposition and each car is shown as provided with its commutator mechanism. The commutator mechanism for all the elevator-cars will be substantiallyidentical, except that for convenience the releasing and restoring magnets and the mercurypots are arranged upon one of the commutator-frames. Obviously, however, these parts might be placed in any convenient location. It is not deemed necessary to describe in detail the commutator mechanism illustrated at the right-hand side of Fig. 1 of the drawings, which mechanism is also illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings. It will be seen by reference to Fig. 1 that this commutator mechanism is connected by suitable cross-wires with the corresponding wires of the commutator hereinbefore fully described, and any one familiar with this class of mechanism will readily understand how it is that when the local circuit is established through any pushbutton a corresponding operation of the commutator mechanism of the various elevators will occur. Thus by reference to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the wire f that leads from the dynamo Y is connected with the signallanterns shown at the right-hand side of the drawing, while the wire Z) that leads to the electric lamp within the car A has a branch L that leads to the electric lamp within the car A", and from this lamp a wire D leads to the contact-plate m as in the construction hereinbefore described. It will be observed also that a series of cross-wires 0O connect the contactplates 12, 13, 14-, 15, and 10 at the IIO right-hand side of the commutator-shafts of both commutators, and in like manner a series of wires 91 connect the restoring contactplates 7, 8, 9, l0, and 11 at the left-hand side of both commutators. It will therefore be understood that when a signal has been given on any floor of the building the first car reaching such floor will cause the corresponding movement of its commutator mechanism and will restore the circuits at the corresponding mercury-pot 011 the frame of the master-commutator to normal condition.

It will be understood, of course, that the pre* cise details of construction above set out may be varied Without departing from the spirit of theinvention. Thus, for example, the contact-plates of the commutators may be so arranged as to give the signals at any desired distance in advance at which the cars are to be stopped, and other changes may be made 7 within the scope of the invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is v 1. An electric signaling apparatus for elevators comprising push-button or like mechanism located at the floors of the building,- visual signals such as lanterns also located at the floors of the building and a commutator mechanismfor controlling the passage of current through said signals, said commutator mechanism comprising a screw-shaft, a carrier-nut mounted'upon said shaft and arranged to move in unison with the elevatorcar, contact-brushes carried by said carriernut and contact plates with which said brushes engage, said contact-plates being arranged in correspondence with the floors of the building and being in circuit with the visual signals, whereby as the brushes pass over said platesthe passage of current through the individual circuits of the visual signals is determined.

2. An electric signaling apparatus for elevators comprising a signal within the elevatorcar, lanterns or visual signals located along the elevator-shaft at the different floors, pushbutton or like mechanism whereby passage of current through said signals is determined and a commutator operated by the elevator mechanism, said commutator being provided with plural. series of contact-plates corresponding to the floors of the building, certain of said contact-plates being in circuit with the corresponding signal within the car and others of said contact-plates being in circuit with the corresponding signals upon the ele vator floors, and comprising also contactbrushes and means for moving said brushes across said contact-plates in unison with the movement of the elevator-car, certain of said brushes serving to control the circuit wherein the signal within the car is placed and others of said contact-brushes serving to control the circuits of the signals upon the floors of the building.

3. A commutator for elevator-signaling apparatus comprising a screw-shaft, a carriernut engaging said shaft and provided with a brush-supporting arm pivotally sustained with respect to said carrier-nut, brushes at opposite ends of said brush-supporting arm, two sets of contact-plates at opposite sides of said screw-shaft, the turning of the carriernut serving to effect a lateral shift of the brushes from one set of contact-plates to another as the travel of the nut is reversed.

4. A commutator for elevator-signaling apparatus comprising a screw-shaft, a carriernut mounted thereon and provided with a cross-arm extending in opposite directions from the shaft, a plurality of contact brushes or points at the ends of said arm, a plurality of insulated contact-plates arranged parallel with the screw-shaft at the opposite sides thereof, with which contact plates said brushes will engage, a supplemental crossarm sustained by said carrier-nut and provided at its opposite ends with contactbrushes and supplemental contact-plates at opposite sides of said screw-shaft with which the brushes of said supplemental arm will engage, the oscillation of the carrier-nut serving to shift both the cross-arm and the supplemental arm.

5. A commutator for elevator-signaling appa *atus comprising a screw-shaft, a nutengaging said shaft and carrying an oscillating brush-supporting arm, contact-plates arranged along the path of travel of said brushsupporting arm and a friction-block between said carrier-nut and said shaft.

6. A commutator for elevator-signaling apparatus comprising a screw-shaft, a nut engaging said shaft and carrying an oscillating brush supporting arm, contact plates arranged along the path of travel of said brushsupporting arm and a spring-actuated friction-block between said carrier-nut and said shaft.

7. A commutator for elevator-signaling apparatus comprising a screw-shaft, a nut en gaging said shaft and carrying an oscillating brush supporting arm, contact plates arranged along the path of travel of said brushsupporting arm, a spring-actuated frictionblock between said carrier-nut and said shaft and a screw for adjusting the tension or hearing of the spring upon said block.

8. A commutator for elevator-signaling apparatus comprising a screw-shaft, a carriernut mounted upon said shaft and movable lengthwise thereof and one or more adjustable stop-nuts for determining the end of travel of said carrier-nut.

9. A commutator for elevator-signaling apparatus comprising a screw-shaft, a carriernut mounted upon said shaft and serving to support the contact-brushes of the com mutator, bearing-plates at the end of the travel of said carrier-nut and at the opposite sides of the nut, said bearing heads or parts engaging parts carried by said nut and serving to take the strain thrown upon said u ut by the turning of the shaft.

10. Acommutatorforelevator-signalingapparatus comprising a rotating screw-shaft, a carrier-nut mounted thereon and carrying the contact-brushes of the commutator and provided at its sides with flanges or extensions and bearing heads or parts located at the end of travel of the earrier-nut and serving to en-' gage said flanges or extensions.

11. Acommutator for elevator-signalin g apparatus comprising a rotating screw-shaft, a carrier-nut mounted thereon and carrying the contact-brushes of the commutator and provided at its sides with flanges or extensions and bearing-heads located at the end of travel of the carrier-nut and serving to engage said flanges or extensions, said bearing heads having inclined ends adapted to engage the flanges or extensions at the sides of the carrier-nut.

12. Acommutator for elevator-signaling apparatus comprising a screw-shaft, a carriernut mounted upon said shaft and supporting the contact-brushes of the commutator, an arm extending from said carrier-nut and a guard-bar along the opposite sides of which said arm will travel as the carrier-nut moves in opposite directions, said guard serving to prevent the tilting movement of the carriernut at points between the ends of its travel.

13. A commutator for elevator-signaling apparatus comprising a screw-shaft, a carriernut mounted upon said shaft, a crossarm supported by said carrier-nut and provided with a plurality of contact-brushes at its opposite ends,an arm depending from said carrier-n ut, a supplemental cross-arm sustained by said depending arm and provided with contactbrushes at its opposite ends and individual contact-plates arranged in the path of travel of the brushes carried by the cross-arm and the supplemental arm.

14. Acommutator for elevator-signaling apparatus comprising a screw-shaft, a carriernut mounted upon said shaft and supporting the contact-brushes of the commutator, an arm extending from said carrier-nut and a guard-bar along the opposite sides of which said arm will travel as the carrier-nut moves in opposite directions, said bar being shorter than the travel of said arm whereby when the carriernut reaches the extremes of its travel it will pass from engagement with said bar.

15. Acommutatorforelevator-signaling apparatus comprising a screw-shaft, a carriernut engaging said shaft, a cross-arm extending laterally from each side of said carriernut, a contact-bar extending along the path of travel of said nut at each side thereof, in dividual contact-plates also arranged along the path of travel of said nut, and plural contact-brushes carried at each end of said crossarm, the contact-brushes arranged opposite said contact-bars at both sides of said nut being in constant engagement with said bars during the travel of the nutin opposite directions.

16. A commutator for elevator-signalingap paratus comprising a screw-shaft, a carriernut engaging said shaft, a crossarm extending laterally from each side of said carriernut, a contact-bar extending along the path of travel of said nut at each side thereof, individual contact-plates also arranged along the path of travel of said nut, and plural contact-brushes carried at each end of said crossarm, the contact-brushes arranged opposite said contact-bars at both sides of said nut being provided with springs that hold them in constant engagement with said bars during the travel of the nut in opposite directions.

17. In electric signaling apparatus for elevators, the combination of visual signals for the several elevator-cars, individual com mutators for controlling the passage of current through said visual signals, a restoring mechanism whereby said visual signals are brought to inactive condition, electric circuits leading from said restoringmechanism to the ele vator-cars and a circuit-controlling mechan ism within each car whereby the signal-restoring mechanism can be controlled to permit the signal to stand for the next succeeding car.

18. In an electric signaling apparatus for elevators, the combination of visual signals forseveral elevators, individual commutators for controlling the passage of current through said signals, said commutators comprising means for restoring said signals to inactive condition and a circuit-controlling mechanism such as a transfer-button within each car, said transfer-buttons being connected with the restoringmechanism of said commutators in such manner that by the actuation of said buttons the operation of the restoring mechanism of the corresponding commutator can be prevented.

JAMES J SDVIIAL'J'JEY. CHAS. A. REINERS. Witnesses:

GEO. P. Frsnun, J r., Ancnn'rA. ADAM l'cic.

ITO 

